Columbo

A closer look at the story

Lieutenant Columbo is a police detective who, at first glance, does not look particularly impressive. With his crumpled raincoat, old car, rumpled appearance and endless chatter, he gives people the impression of being absent-minded and harmless. His suspects think exactly that and keep underestimating him. Behind this likeable, talkative exterior, however, lies an exceptionally sharp mind. Columbo never lets up on the killer for a moment; with questions that seem innocent but grow steadily more irritating, he corners them step by step, deftly fits the clues together and gathers all the evidence needed to make the charge stick. His extraordinary eye for detail and thoroughness usually dawn on the killer only towards the end of the story, by which time it is far too late. Created by Richard Levinson and William Link and airing on NBC and ABC from 1971 for ten seasons and 67 episodes, this classic crime series stars Peter Falk as Columbo.